FPWA

New York City is now the first municipality in the nation to establish a True Cost of Living measure. The release of this data is a meaningful step in honoring the will of voters — more than 80% of whom approved a charter revision requiring the City to develop and publish this metric annually. And now, the real work begins. TCOL has the power to reshape how policymakers approach wages, benefits, tax policy, housing, child care, and more. In a city where 62% of New Yorkers are economically insecure, we now have a tool that reflects the full picture of what it takes not just to survive, but to thrive. "The city will no longer solely rely on outdated poverty thresholds that obscure the financial pressures families face. It is naming what it costs to live here, and to do so with dignity. Government statistics have told the lie that families are doing fine as long as they sit above the poverty line. Across the five boroughs, that line has never reflected reality." 🔗 Read the full piece from FPWA CEO & Co-Chair of the National True Cost of Living Coalition, Jennifer Jones Austin, now: nydailynews.com/2026/04/17/aff…

Our Senior Policy Analyst, Funmi Akinnawonu, testified before the New York City Council Committee on Immigration to advocate for the safety and stability of our immigrant communities. With federal policies creating a chilling effect on access to basic needs, FPWA is calling for increased investments in legal services and expanding public information campaigns to ensure this city is one that welcomes all its residents. Read more by reading the full testimony here: fpwa.org/resource-cente…

During her testimony at today’s hearing with the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, our Chief of Policy & Research, Madeline Neighly, affirmed our commitment to working alongside the Council and the Mayor’s office to ensure release of NYC’s True Cost of Living measure. With a higher than national rate of economic insecurity, New Yorkers are pressed not just by high costs, but a lack of resources. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted: 78% of Latino/a New Yorkers 68% of Black New Yorkers 63% of AAPI New Yorkers 72% of all families with children These aren’t just statistics: the True Cost of Living measure is a guide for equitable budgeting and policymaking. Read the full testimony here: fpwa.org/resource-cente…

Today, we honor the giant whose voice changed the landscape of American politics and the heart of the movement: Reverend Jesse Jackson. Rev. Jackson’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of our work at FPWA. As our Executive Director & CEO Jennifer Jones Austin shared in her recent interview with ABC7, his deep commitment to economic justice and civil rights paved the way for many to follow. All while reminding us that: "I am somebody."

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our CEO & Executive Director, Jennifer Jones Austin, for being named to @cityandstateny’s 2026 Brooklyn Power 100 list! As a fourth generation social justice warrior, Jennifer sounded the alarm on the affordability crisis long before it became a defining issue in NYC and nationally. We congratulate her and all recognized for their leadership Read the full list here: cityandstateny.com/power-lists/20…

As we mark the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we reflect on the trailblazers who paved the way and the leaders who are creating impact. We are incredibly proud to celebrate our CEO & Executive Director, @jenniferjonesaustin, for being named to @cityandstateny’s 2026 Black Trailblazers list! Read the full feature here: cityandstateny.com/power-lists/20…

What does New York City’s budget mean for New Yorkers’ economic security? Join FPWA and specials guests from the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO) on February 5 as we break down over a decade of city budget decisions and what it means now for the well-being of New Yorkers and the human services sector. Drawing on the latest FY25 update to FPWA’s NYC Funds Tracker – an interactive dashboard designed to simplify budget data for advocates – the conversation will also examine how years of fiscal choices, combined with Federal cuts, have undercut human service funding and investments in low-income New Yorkers. Register today: fpwa.org/event/nyc-fund…

FPWA CEO Jennifer Jones Austin and her father Rev. William Augustus Jones remind us that economic security and freedom are inextricably linked. On this MLK Day weekend, we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by renewing his mission to eliminate barriers to economic justice.

From Brooklyn to Buffalo, the affordability crisis remains a defining challenge for New Yorkers. Governor Hochul’s State of the State addressed this reality, and FPWA stands ready to partner with her administration on delivering on these commitments and centering policy responses in the True Cost of Economic Security measure. Read the full statement from our CEO & Executive Director Jennifer Jones Austin here: fpwa.org/resource-cente…

We are kicking off the new year with a look back and an even bolder look forward. FPWA CEO, Jennifer Jones Austin, sat down with ABC7's Bill Ritter to discuss the current state of affairs in New York City. As we navigate the year ahead, FPWA remains steadfast in our commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and building a more equitable New York for all. Watch the full interview here: abc7ny.com/post/close-bil…

The city’s affordability crisis does not fall equally on all New Yorkers – and any solutions to confronting it must address the inequities that have failed Black & Brown communities for generations. FPWA CEO Jennifer Jones Austin and former Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams speak to the need to center racial justice in a new op-ed. As a new mayoral administration kicks off, the city has a chance to advance equity-centered solutions. “Racial equity must be a driving force in how we address affordability and opportunity, because the affordability crisis is fundamentally a justice crisis. New York is at risk of becoming a city where only those with privilege can thrive. Reversing that trajectory relies on government choices.” Read the full article here: nydailynews.com/2025/12/30/rac…

Hard work no longer guarantees economic mobility in NYC. It’s time to change that. In a recent op-ed for @amNewYork, our CEO Jennifer Jones Austin and DC37’s Henry Garrido lay out a clear mandate for our city’s leaders: We must raise the wage floor! Currently, a single adult needs $29/hour just to cover basic needs in New York City. Yet, the very people we rely on, our childcare workers, home health aides, and social service providers, are often the ones struggling most to make ends meet. Through the Bring Up Minimum Pay (BUMP) campaign, we are fighting for a $29/hour wage floor for the human services sector. It’s an economic win that would pull 100,000 New Yorkers out of poverty. Read the full piece and join us in the fight for economic security: amny.com/oped/opinion-n…

Happy New Year from all of us at FPWA! 🎉 We are wishing you a happy, healthy, and bright start to 2026. Thank you for standing with us. Let’s make this year one of impactful change. Click here to make your impact: donate.fpwa.org/give/155532/#!…

Today is the final day to make a 2025 contribution to FPWA. None of the work we accomplished this year would have been possible without your support. Your ongoing partnership helps us begin 2026 with the strength and momentum this work demands. Please consider making a tax-deductible year-end gift before the ball drops tonight. Give before midnight: fpwa.org/get-involved/d…

FPWA’s work to advance economic security and strengthen human service and faith-based organizations is fueled by partners like you. Every contribution pushes for long-term solutions that lift communities across New York so everyone can thrive. There is still time to support FPWA in 2025. If you haven’t made your gift yet, please consider joining us today: donate.fpwa.org/give/155532/#!…

Economic insecurity continues to impact the daily lives of millions of individuals and families across New York and the nation. At FPWA, we are working tirelessly to ensure that people are seen and that our systems respond to the realities they face every day. As we approach the end of the year, your partnership is what allows us to continue this vital work. Give now to join us in this mission: donate.fpwa.org/give/155532/#!…

Our True Cost of Economic Security measure shows that 62% of New Yorkers are economically insecure. For families with children, that rises to 72%. Our work at FPWA doesn't just offer temporary fixes — we're pushing for long-term solutions that will make it possible for everyone to thrive. Join the movement to ensure everyone has the foundation to thrive. Partner with us & make a gift today! [Link in Bio/Donation Link]

Families with children in NYC are especially impacted by the economic insecurity crisis: 72% don't have the resources they need to thrive. Your partnership with FPWA ensures their reality is seen and is the starting point for policy change. Invest in a more secure future for all New Yorkers by making a gift to FPWA today. [Link in Bio]

There's still time to register for our last training of 2025! Join us on Wednesday, December 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm for "Maintaining an Inclusive Workplace in Today's Changing Context," facilitated by Jen Curry, Ed.D. This session will review foundational language and context related to equity, and encourage participants to consider what inclusion means to them. The group will discuss how current events in the non-profit sector are impacting their leadership practices and explore strategies to cultivate equitable supervision within their organizations. Register today: bit.ly/4ou8pe0